Archive for April 7th, 2006

Universities in Indiana are continuing to lead the way in technological innovation that can help our state stay competitive in the global economy. Indiana University has announced the acquisition a new supercomputer expected to be one of the fastest in the world, and possibly the fastest university-owned computer.

The impact on research funding will help develop the technological infrastructure of our state and lead to more investment in innovative science:

Research means research grants, and MacIntyre said IU expects to receive $477 million for research of all kinds this year. The new computer is intended to help IU reach a long-term goal of attracting $800 million in grants each year.

The meeting, which ends today, comes about two months after President Bush used his State of the Union address to trumpet continuing research that could eventually fill the nation’s highways with fuel-cell cars and hydrogen filling stations.

More than 100 people are attending Purdue’s Hydrogen Initiative Symposium to hear scientists and officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA and several national laboratories discuss the challenges of harnessing hydrogen for transportation systems.

Basic university research directly translates into market innovations for Indiana businesses and is crucial for the future economic development of our state.

Now that we live in a world where China has officially surpassed the United States in internet usage, it is apparent that resting on our laurels is not an option. In order to stay ahead of the competition, create new jobs, and ensure opportunity for the next generation we must continue to invest in the research and technology that drove the financial engine of our country for the last century.

If you are interested in other similar university-sponsored projects in Indiana, here are a few I have discussed in the last several months: